Convertible couch-bed or davenport.



N. L ANTHONY.

CONVERTIBLE coucH BED 0R DAVENPORT.

APPLICATlON FILED MAY 5,1915.

Patentecl May 9, 1916.

3 3HEETSSHEET1 N. L. ANTHONY.

CONVERTIBLE COUCH BED OR DAVENPORT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, I9I5- 1,182,?8 I. Patented May 9,1916.

M 3 SHEETSSHEET 2. #Q

w. L, ANTHONY. CONVERTIBLE COUCH BED 0R DAVENPORT.

APPLlCATlOh FILED MM 5, I9I5.

Patented May 9, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- those now parts of the: latter or other articles, but it might NOEL L. ANTHGNY, OF

CONVERTIBLE COUCH- CRANSTON; RHODE ISIJKNDv BED OB DAVENPORT.

Specification of Letters latent.

rarest-ea May a, role.

Application filed May 5, 1915. Serial No. 25,936.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Koren L. ANTHONY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cranston, in the county of Providence and State of lihode lslanth have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Couchleds' 0r Davenports, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to convertible couchbeds or davenports and consists of improvements in the structure and method of operation of the same.

The object of my improvement is to provide a tolding'couch or bed ot' simpler structure and more sightly appearance than in use and particularly to eliminate the complicated and cumbersome mechanism usually employed for operating such. devices.

A further object of my improvement is to render the couch more easily and conveniently converted into a bed and, vice rersa, from the bed to the couch, and to also provide a greater storing space within the frame or body of the couch when the are in closed relation.

The manner and means for carrying out these improvements are fully described in the following specification; illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawingsz-Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved couch showing the parts iii-closed relation in the form of a davenport; Fig. 2, a cross-sectional view of the couch taken on the line XX of Fig. 1 and also showing the parts closed together; Fig. 3, a similar view showing the couch open in the form of a bed; Fig. i, a detail view oi a portion of the roller and trackconstruction of the couch frame; Fi t a detail view of one of the supporting side-rollers for the couch-frame; and Flg. 6, a erosssectional view showing a modification in the structural arrangement of my improved couch.

Referring to the drawings,- the main frame or body of the couch is preferably made in the form of a rectangular box B, to provide a storage receptacle for bedding also be con strnct-ed in skeleton 'lorm it"desired. The box 13 is usually mounted on relatively short legs I), 71 which may be provided with asters if desired and which can be made in various ornamental styles when a more elaborate article of furniture is required. The end-sections 7/, 11' ot the body li are preferably extended above the top of the side-sections 7) I) to conform to the upholstcring on the seat-portion of the couch, and if desired may be made in the shape of arms ornamented with carving or scroll-work.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the seat-portion oi the couch comprises sim- .ply a rectangular frame-member G upholstered on its top and adapted to fit across and close the top of the boX or body 13. ln some cases the member 0 is made in a form to adapt it to receive either a boxspring, so-called, or other arrangements of flexible supports for the upholstery as usually provided in like articles of turniture.

Adapted to be folded into the body B of the couch is a second trame-member C which forms an extension of the seat-member (7 when the couch is opened out or con verted into a bed as shown in Fig. I"). The extension-frame C is of the same construction as the member equal in length therebut of slightly less width to adapt it in lit in between the sides of the body B in a horizontal position.- Like the frame C the member (1' is upholstered in the usual. manner, with or without springs as desired.

For shifting the members C and C to convert the couch into a bed as illustrated in Fig. 3, I provide a system of ,g'uidoways or tracks on which run rollers R, R mounted on the ends of the frames 0, C. lre'terably the guideways or tracks are made in the form of plates I) let into sides o'l the end-sections Z), 7) of the frame l3 and secured in place by screws c as shown in Fig. r. Each end-plate l) is lormed with recessed tracks or guiding-grooves (Z, d adapted to receive the rollers R, R mounted on the ends of the frames C and C. referably a metal strip or plate 0 is secured to the ends of the wood-portions c of the members C. C and the, rollers R, R are carried on studs 1' screwed into the plate. The heads of the screws 1' lit into countersunk recesses r in the rollers I. R to brin g them flush with the outer sides thereof so that the rollers engage the full width of the grooves 1/. 1/ without interference of the studs with its side.

Referring to Fig". 33. each plate I) has an inclined track or guideway extending upwardly from a point near one of the sides I) of the body B and nearly across the whole width of the end-section l) of the body. At its top the plate I) is formed with a slot or gruideway (1 extending from a point near the center of the end-section I) substantially half way across the latte' and inclined upwardly to a relatively slight degree. At its outer end the lower side of the slot (1 is formed with a slight depression or hollow (7 see Fig. 3. adapted to act as a detent for the roller R when the latter seats itself therein. The bottom of the depression 1/ is on a level with the opposite. inner end of the slot or track 1/ and the roller it is so positioned on the frame C that when it reaches either end of the slot the frame will assume a horizontal position resting on the side I) of the frame 1% as later described. The track or slot (7 communicates with the guideway (I through a curved neck-portion or passage (1 at its outer end through which the roller R may pass when the member (7 is manipulated as later described.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the two members (7 and C are adapted to slide across the top of the couch-frame B and to facilitate their operation in this manner I provide the rollers F. F mounted on the side-sections b If. These may be of any usual construction and as shown in Fig. 5 are preferably set in bearings in brackets f which are fastened on the inside of the sections 7). I) by screws or other means. Any suitable number of rollers F. F may be employed on the frai'ne-sections b, b as required, four being shown for each side in Fig. 1. Similar, vertical guiding-rolls might also be used-on the end-sections b, b, if desired. to guide the ends of the frames G, C, but ordinarily these are not required and are therefore not shown in the drawings. It will he understood that the rollers F. F project slightly above the top of the sideseetions I), 7/ and therefore the members C and C rest upon and slide across the rollers instead of on the sides of the body B, thus relieving them from unnecessary friction.

In the top of the right-hand side-section b I provide one or more. dowel-holes 7), see. Figs. 1, 2 and 3, adapted to receive suitable dowel-pins (1 projecting from the under side of the frame C. The dowels are seated in the holes 6 when the frame C is pulled out to its extended position and serve to hold the latter in placewhen the couch is used as a bed. Fastened to the end-sections I, of the frame P) are suitable blocks or brackets I) on which the ends of the members Q" rest when it is lowered into position within the box as illustrated in Figs. 1 and To provide for convenient. manual operation of the frames or members t" in drawing; them out into open position I attach handles to their outer sides. 'lhese may be in the form of straps S. H as shown in the drawings or if preferred rigid handles can be used.

Having now described the construction and arrangement of the several parts of my inn'n'oved couch in detail its method of operation will next be explained: When the couch is to be used as a sofa or davenport the sat-member rests on top of the, siderollers F. F on the frame B with the endrollers ll seated in the hollows at the ends of the slots 1/ to retain the member from lateral disphxcement. To convert the couch into a bed. the operator grasps the straps S. S and the member is first pulled out to the left. as shown in Fig. with the rollers R. R traveling in the slots (1. 1] until they reach the ends thereof to prevent further movement of the member. \Vhile the member C is being drawn out in this manner the operator bears down on its outer side to prevent the rollers R. R from dropping down into the slots 7, (Z and a little care in this particular results in a quick traverse of the rollers across the passages (l 1]. The operator now reaches down into the body B and grasps the straps S S on the member 0 to lift the side of the latter above the top of the side-section 7); The member C can now be pulled out of the frame T3 with the rollers I". R traveling: up the incline of the tracks (I. (i. As soon as the rollers R. R reach the end of the tracks (I. (Z the side of the frame C is pressed downwardly. and with its under side bearing on the side rollers F. F as a fulcrum the frame is tilted to bring: the rollers R. R up through the passages (P. (i into the tracks 11. (Z. The member C is now pushed back with its rollers traveling in the tracks (/"to bring its inner side against the side of the member Q. As the .member C is thus carried into its rearward position to aline it with the member C. care is taken to lift its forward side to seat the dowels c in the holes If and the two members will thus be locked in position to form a relatively broad. flat top to the coach adapted to serve as a comfortable bed.

To ire-convert the couch into a davenport the member C is first pulled slowly out to allow il/S rollers R to drop through the paspushed back ber fromsliding back Suitable de ressions or l slrlges d cl" into the slots (Z, (Z, and then until the rollers reach the lower end of the tracks (Z, (I. The outer side of the frame C is then lowered down to rest on the brackets 5*, I) as shown in Fig. 2. li iththe member C in this position space is provided above it for storing bed linen and other articles andthe space below it can also be utilized for the same purpose. If desired a drawer might be fitted in the side of the body B to slide under the member L" and this arrangement would'provide for more convenient access to the articles stored in the lower part of the couch.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated another modification of the structure of my improved couch although the method of operation of the top-members remains substantially the same. In this arrangement two separate, independent tracks or guiding grooves y, g and g, g are provided for each pair of rollers R, R and R, R on the members C and C; The tracks 7, 9 take the rollers R, R- on the seat-member C and are extended note to the left to allow the latter to be pulled out farther. This allows the opposite member C' to be pulled up and out of the body B into its extended position at one operation and the member C is then pushed back against it as shown by the dotted. lines in Fig. 6. The rollers R, R are mounted on brackets TI, H extending downwardly from the under side of the member C and seat in depressions 9 1 at the end'of the tracks g, g to hold the meminto the body B. sockets g, g are provided in the tracks 9, g to locate the member C in its closed position, and if required a dowel-pin can be used to hold the member in place when overhanging the side of the frame 13, similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 3. l 1

It will be seen that my improved couch or davenport is of much simpler construction than those now generally in .use and is more compact and sightly in appearance. No jointed levers, springs or folding frames are employed to operatc its folding parts and therefore its construction is much more economical and durable and less liable to get out of order. Furthermore, when folded together in the form of a davenport all the operating parts are concealed from'view, while at the same time a maximum space is provided for storing articles in its body.

Various modifications other than those here illustrated might be made in the form and structure of the parts of my improveil device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; therefore, without limiting mysel to the exact embodiment shown and described, what I claim is 1. In a convertible couch-bed or davenas they slide across port, the combination with a main frame having endand side-sections, of a seatmember adapted to set across the top of the frame and to slide thereon, a correspondingly-formed extensionanember adapted to set on top of the frame in alineuient with the seat-member, said seat-member and extension-member arranged to be drawn out in opposite directions to bring them into position on the top of the frame, rollers on the ends of the extension-member, and in clincd guidingtracks on the end-sections of the frame adapted to receive the rollers on the extensionanember to' guide the latter down into position within the sides of the frame underneath the seat-member.

3. In a convertible couch-bed or (lavenport, the combination with a box-like body, of a seat-member adapted to set across the top of the body, a correspondingly-formed extension-member adapted to be lowered into the body beneath the seat-member, rollers on the ends of said members, substantially horizontal guiding-tracks in which the rollers on the ends of the seat-member travel to adapt the latter to be pulled out to overhang the side of the body, and inclined guiding-tracks for the rollers on the extension-member to guide the latter from within the body of the couch into position on top thereof in alinement with the seat-member.

.ln a convertible couch-bed, the combination with a rectangular frame having endand side-sections, of a seat-member adapted to set across and cover the top of saidframe, rollers on the ends of the seat-member, sub stantially horizontal guiding-tracks on the end-sections of the frame on which the rollers travel to adapt the seatanember to be pulled out to overhang the sidel of the frame, an extension-member corresponding in form to the scat-member, rollers on the ends of the exten'sion-member, inclined guiding-tracks on the end-sections of the frame on which the rollers on the extension-member travel to guide the latter from within the frame to a position on top thereof in alinement with'the seat-member, and supporting rollers on the side-sections on which the seatand extensionmemhers bear the top of the frame.

4. In a convertible couch-bed, the combination with a frame having and and sidesections, of a seat-member adapted to set across the top of the frame, substantially horizontal guiding-tracks on the inside of the end-sections of the guiding-tracks communicatingwith the horizontal tracks at their upper ends, rollers mounted on the ends of the scat-member to travel in the horizontal tracks when said member is pulled out to overhang the side of the frame, an extension-member corresponding in form to the seat-member and frame, amllinclined adapted to fit within the frame, and rollers in testimony whereof X affix my signaon the extenslon-member adapted to travel ture in presence of two wltnesses.

1n the lnchn ed truck and t9 enter the hprl- NOEL L ANTHGNYW zontal tracks to bung szud member lnto ulihement with the sent-member when both Witnesses:

members are pulled out to overhang the HERBERT K. ALLARD,

sides of the frame. GEO. A. W1? 

